Entertainment News

The Bhangra Showdown will be heading to the Barclaycard Arena this February!  Now in its 9th successive year, this will be the first time ever the World's Biggest Bhangra competition has been hosted outside of London. The Bhangra Showdown began as a venture, organised by the Imperial College Punjabi Society, with the aim of raising money for charities whilst enjoying the traditions of the vibrant Punjabi culture.

Award-winning one stop website for all things art, food and travel in local cultures; The Culture Trip has highlighted The Drum as one of the best live music venues in Birmingham. It has recognised The Drum’s importance in supporting intercultural art and it’s dedication in developing, presenting and celebrating the arts and other cultural activities of the city’s diverse communities.

Last night in the vibrant metropolis of Shanghai, Haig Club brand partners David Beckham and Simon Fuller hosted the third in a series of global Pop Up Scotch Whisky Experiences - an extraordinary evening bringing together global industry leaders in fashion, food and drink, music and entertainment. Haig Club Shanghai is the third in a series of events that have taken place in iconic cities, handpicked for their unique style, nightlife and culture.

BBC Local Radio and BBC Radio 1Xtra have teamed up to present a unique celebration of African-Caribbean Comedy in Birmingham on Friday 29 January. The event, which takes place at the Midlands Arts Centre in Cannon Hill Park, will be hosted by BBC Coventry & Warwickshire’s Breakfast presenter Trish Adudu and Comedian Kane Brown.

The £10.4 million redevelopment of Wolverhampton’s Civic Halls came a step closer today with planning permission being granted. Preparatory works have begun on the Grade II listed venues prior to City of Wolverhampton Council appointing a main contractor to carry out the core works. The refurbishment of the Civic and Wulfrun Halls will be funded by £6.2 million from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal and £4.2 million from the council.

Blenheim Palace has an eggcellent Easter weekend planned for all the family to enjoy from 25 – 28 March, with lots of additional fun to be had over the entire Easter holidays. On Easter Sunday and Easter Monday two very special characters will be visiting Blenheim Palace; The Gruffalo and Tree Fu Tom. The Gruffalo, from the popular children's picture book, will be visiting the Pleasure Gardens for meet and greet sessions at intervals on each day.

Students from Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy are tuning up to perform a selection of musical pieces as Wolverhampton Art Gallery's programme of lunchtime recitals continues. James Hough, Michael Spiers, Lewis Smith and Tom Hough will be performing a diverse selection of pieces ranging from composers such as Brahms, Rameau and Rachmaninov to Ed Sheeran and John Mayer.

Leading brands and personalities from the world of field sports, countryside pursuits and the rural life will be at the inaugural UK Game Fair, at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre (NAEC) Stoneleigh, from 22-24 July 2016. Launched last October to fill the void left by the failed CLA Game Fair – a loss-making show since the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) had brought the event’s management in-house in 2011 – the UK Game Fair takes place on the same showground as the famous Royal Show, which attracted over 200,000 visitors during its peak years. 

The hottest sensation of Bollywood, Arijit Singh, has announced his UK and European tour for 2016!  Accompanied by top musicians and vocalists, Singh will be hitting the Barclaycard Arena on 9 July. Named the most popular artist of 2014 by Hungama Digital Media Entertainment, Singh has a voice that’s known for having a pain and romance which leaves you humming his songs every time you hear his name.

The Legoland Windsor Resort Hotel's Junior Builder Week is back for February half term 2016 with a swashbuckling jam packed programme of pirate themed Lego building activities at an amazingly good value price tag! From just £140, a family of four can enjoy an overnight stay in a Lego themed room plus breakfast at the awesome Bricks Family Restaurant - AND the chance to develop their building skills with hints and tips from the Legoland Hotel experts.

David Bowie, an icon in his era, and one of the most influential musicians of late, has died of cancer at the age of 69. A statement was issued on his social media accounts, saying he "died peacefully, surrounded by his family" after an "18-month battle with cancer".

The RSC brings Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary year in Stratford-upon-Avon to a close with a powerful programme, matching two major Shakespeare titles with two irreverent Jacobean comedies and a new play from Anders Lustgarten, which plays out across 400 years between Caravaggio’s Naples and the housing estates of Bootle.

India is trying to establish itself as a world-class motoring tourism destination by spreading awareness both inside and outside the country. The two-day event will see enthusiasts, corporates, tourists and others come to see and take part in the rally. This is the laudable vision of Madan Mohan, who wears many hats but most important is as founder of 21 Gun Salute Vintage Car Rally, the 6th edition of which will be held in Delhi on February 6 and 7.

In a male dominated music industry, the BBC Asian Network are bringing forward the names of some of the most talented women who are both Punjabi and British and represent the unique style of music originating from the subcontinent. In the first of a four part series, Dipps Bhamrah plays out a live music session recorded with Sazia Judge exploring her folk Punjabi sound & talks to her about her experiences and influences within the Bhangra music industry.

Reports are abounding that US singer Janet Jackson has put her Unbreakable world tour on hold until spring to have surgery. She went onto her website and social media to let fans know that due to the discovery of a growth on her vocal chords the tour would be rescheduled in the Spring of 2016. Those dates have not been announced yet but if the tumor is cancerous it could be the end of her career.

After its phenomenal run on and off Broadway, the critically acclaimed five times Tony award nominated play ‘Hand to God’ (including Best New Play and Best Director) is making its way to London’s West End and will open at the Vaudeville Theatre in early 2016.  Previews start on February 5. Hand to God will feature an all-star cast, including Janie Dee, Neil Pearson, Harry Melling, Jemima Rooper and Kevin Mains.